Eri's endo visit was today :)

Eri's mom · #1 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:22 AM

Hi again

Well, Eri saw her endocrinologist today...the good news is that her A1C went down to 9.2(from 10.0)

We are aiming to get her lower than 8.0

She lost 5 lbs since 2 weeks ago, must be the growth spurt b/c she grew at least 2 inches from 2 weeks ago for her physcial.
He increased her nighttime NPH dosage by 1 unit, so now she gets 13 units of that at night. Everything else stayed the same.
Overall, good visit...now just to get that A1C down!!!

duck · #2 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:24 AM

I'm not a huge fan of Lantus, but it is a heckuva lot better than NPH--Are you using NPH for any particular reason? I hate NPH, it almost killed me three times.

And that is good news. Sounds like you are making great progress.

Eri's mom · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:33 AM

WOw!!! NPH was that bad w/ you??? We're discussing lantus...but her NPH and then humalog is working a LOT better than the 75/25 did.

I should call them and suggest trying the lantus. My mind wasn't totally w/ me when I got there...I had just gotten out of the vet w/ my dog(seizure last night)...and I had to rush and get Eri from school and to the endo. UGH!!! I'm a horrible mom today!!!
I'll call them tomorrow and see about the lantus(my dad LOVES it).

Thanks for the info, and sorry to hear you had such a hard time w/ the NPH!!!

nantomsuethom · #4 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:34 AM

Hi Robin,

So that's why Becky's not in her office!

I am glad to hear Eri's visit went well. Hopefully the extra unit will help bring down her A1c. Have you heard anymore about her pump? Once she's a "pumper" that should help too.

Nancy

archimeech · #5 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:35 AM

I was on NPH for 15 years. I had a lot of absorption problems. some nights I would wake up in the morning and my sugar would be 350 other times I would wake up in the middle of the night to my loving wife shoving a gallon of orange juice down my throat to get my sugar back up.
I'm much better now that I'm on the pump. I hope Eri does well with her sugars. Get those numbers under control and she'll live a longer, healthier life. good luck!

HeatherP · #6 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:43 AM

It sounds like she's making GREAT progress Robin! 5 gold stars for you both! I know all's not perfect, but at least you're heading in the right direction.

I was on NPH for 11 years, had regular minor lows, and then in the last year had 9-11 "ambulance" episodes. It's like my body suddenly became extremely sensitive to it. If it's working well for you, then stick with it unless you find something better. Being as how she's hitting puberty though, the Lantus might be something to consider as it is for the most part peakless. It's worth a try, and I hope tomorrow is better for you than today!

HeatherP

Eri's mom · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 01:18 PM

Thanks all

Yep Nancy, that's why Becky wasn't in the office today...she was over here!!!LOL...she's so sweet, isn't she?

We're working on getting Eri her pump...she's had that attitude...a LOT of stress has been in the house, but I'm working on it...counseling...my stepson and Eri do NOT get along very well, so to punish "us"(her dad and I), she refuses to count her carbs OR eat lunch at school, and we have to literally sit on her to make her test her sugar, or we ourselves test it. Minimed wants another months worth of readings also...I sent them a whole months worth...UGH!!! Soooooo, by next month, HOPEFULLY we'll be on that waiting list to start the intro class.

Lantus may just be the best bet for these puberty years(Eri about died when the doc talked so freely about it(her pediatrician)...during her last physical a couple weeks ago. Poor kid, but hey, that's life, right?lol.

I don't want to see any adverse reactions to Eri on NPH...I've dealt w/ BOTH extremes now and I just want her levels to be normal!!(COME ON CURE!!!)

She's on an egg salad and wheat bread kick right now, plus, my dh showed me how to make HIS homemade manicotti shells, and Eri LOVES those, and it really agree's w/ her carb wise...her levels were PERFECT while eating that!!!

OK, I'll stop my incessant ramblings!!!

duck · #8 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 01:52 PM

My experiences with NPH are the same as described above; A couple of times waking having someone try to feed me sugar, a couple times not waking and having someone feeding me sugar. If no one had been around, I'd be dead. But part of that was my ignorance--I had no idea NPH was so volatile until I started my pump training. Literally, some days my NPH wouldn't peak, and others it would peak...HARD. And my wife claims that my mood has been better since I came off NPH 3.5 years ago when I was getting ready to pump. So it was affecting me in ways I didn't even pick up on either...

Eri's mom · #9 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 03:05 PM

Hmmmm.....wonder if THAT explains Eri's attitude(aside from just her age and all)...as I've mentioned before, she goes up and down like crazy.

gettingby · #10 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 03:40 PM

Great news Robin. For Eri:

I am glad that things are starting to look brightter(told ya they would, lol)I'm extremely happy for ya.
Cin

buzzborne · #11 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 04:47 PM

I'm glad that everything turned out well

that is great news

am1977 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 05:49 PM

I'm glad Eri's appointment went so well

. That's great

. Don't worry too much about the A1c, just keep working on it with Eri and you'll get it down. As for the Lantus, that is something I would definitely try getting a hold of. I know I have posted it about it before to you, and I'm not trying to bug you about it, but I think it could help Eri. Plus, when she does move to the pump, a lot of doctor's like their patients to have Lantus on hand in case the pump malfunctions in any way.

As for getting the A1c down, does Eri work with a CDE and/or dietician. I know she is young, but setting good eating habits is best when started when you are young. This might be something that can really help her. I just saw my CDE/dietician and we revamped my meal plan a little. I am trying to lose a little weight so we scaled down what I am eating a little. Anyway, setting up a meal plan might help to get those numbers into better control. It is something to consider anyway.

Again, I'm so glad to hear that things are on the up and up and I hope things continue that way! Please continue to update us

All the BEST

Eri's mom · #13 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 07:24 PM

Thank you so much everyone

You know, Eri doesn't even have a dietician anymore. Weird...I'm going to call her endo tomorrow to discuss the lantus, along w/ discussing the new glucometer he wants to try her on(the freestyle again...but when we used that the last time, it looked like I was beating her, she was so bruised all over...she LOVES the Accu-chek compact she has now, and I know that once she goes on the pump she will be using the BD Logic)....

Eri is actually a pretty good eater. She's a veggie fanatic...even since birth, the girl LOVED her veggies more than her fruits!!! Actually, all my kids were like that(ok, not all, Wil is a TOTAL sugar-holic!!!)...Eri's a salad lover, would prefer carrot sticks and ranch dressing for lunch rather than a sandwich, etc. She LOVES egg salad and wheat bread, pasta(I know, those carbs!!!)...and has this thing for pepperoni or the really good salami or soppesetta. She's also an egg lover...she's not really into toast, she's more a basted egg over baked potato...she has weird tastes, but they are actually good...and she's a major water drinker...aside from that new berry 7up.
Don't get me wrong, she DOES love junk food...like those swiss cake rolls...but those are only for lows....along w/ the banana-walnut mini muffins.

OK, I'll shut up!!!
She is in here STILL doing her homework...and now she needs help w/ some math...this girl has more homework than her 7th and 8th grade brothers put together!!!

OK, ok, REALLY shutting up!!!
God bless...

Shalyndria · #14 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 09:42 PM

Wow Robin, congrats to both you and Eri on her improvement!! Puberty is especially difficult for a Diabetic IMHO (I was a holy terror to my poor mother; what with the attitude and teenage rebellion, particularily against my Diabetes, I'm surprised she didn't drown me!) and she's going to greatly appreciate everything you're doing for her, once she's older

Give both yourself and Eri a pat on the back from all of us!!

I was on NPH for 12 years and never had any problems with it; never had a severe hypo episode and didn't experience any significant fluctuations because of it. I was even on it throughout my puberty 'phase'

. I think that, as with any Rx, YMMV and experiences will be different for everyone. The bottom line is that if you've found something that works, stick with it. And if it's not working, then make the necessary adjustments.

Congrats again!

Shy

Funnygrl · #15 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 10:11 PM

I love the Freestyle Flash I use. Maybe if you try different settings or lancets she won't bruise as badly? You can also try a plain old different lancing device. And I use my fingers quite often too. It is faster and smaller and uses less blood than the Compact. The BD logic has some major accuracy issues, so be warned on that.